22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Winnie

I let out a soft sigh as I cut paper with Kime. Why must it be complicated?

Am I the one causing issues?

She and I are in the library, sitting at one of the reading tables.

There are other students working on their homework near us and a few reading on their own. I always love to watch them read and enjoy the stories or information. But for now, I'm struggling to focus on cutting the paper into small hearts so that Kime can stick them onto the card she is making Telke.

I wish...

The more I work on this project, the more I thought about him.

Am I too mean to him?

But... What if he won't understand?

He is rash enough to run out and risk his life. Maybe he isn't someone who will give things a lot of thoughts.

But he is good at floatball, which takes a lot of strategizing.

So...

I suppose I should make it clear to him, but... Part of me doesn't think he will take that as an answer. But...

What if he won't understand? With how we haven't known each other for long, maybe he doesn't care that much. But what if...

I halt before I cut my finger. I put down the scissors. Kime looks at me with her cute face. Even her tiny baby horn on her forehead looks cute. I say, "My throat is dry, my water is back on the counter. I'll be back soon."

"Okay. Thank you for helping me." She grins and focuses on her piece of paper again.

Maybe I need some time on my own, which I won't get until it is closing time for the library.

I look around the library as I head to the counter, making sure everyone in the library is doing well and they don't need me. It is the in-between times of the opening hour, so most students are entertaining themselves instead of needing my help with borrowing and returning books.

If they need me, they can always ring the bell at the counter anyway.

I'm at the counter when...

There's a mail showing up on my computer screen. I click that open to see...

No way!

The principal sent a mail saying that, in order to celebrate the start of another year's floatball event; they are going to hold a teaching staff competition.

That won't be an issue until the mail also said... everyone's expected to join, and the team match up will be decided by drawing lots.

I look at the time of said drawing, which... has already happened...

Geez... I wasn't even in the staff room at that time.

I suppose I didn't have to be there for the lot drawing to go as planned, but at the same time... From announcing the competition to drawing lots, there aren't even two hours in between...

I guess the principal didn't intend for most staff to be present when he drew the lot...

Now... Do I seriously have to be playing floatball with other teachers?

Wait... It sounds like something Telke would do. He has always loved floatball and would love to share that with everyone.

But would the principal listen to that? Or... Maybe I'm just unlucky.

I take a sip of water, regardless. I'll have to stay here until it is time to close the library. Then I'll figure out what is happening.

Kime isn't going to ask why I'm gone for so long, but...

Maybe I need something to occupy my mind again. Things just refuse to look better.